Game apparatus



1930- c. R. MANN 57833 GAME APPARATUS Fil ed March 29, 1930 glwuentoz l in Gama/veer R Mfl/Y/Y.

Patented Dec. 2 19 30v IQ-FFICE -MA eesew Ye s GAME A i A F- llpplication filed March 29, 193p. ser aiuo. eases.

This invention relates to a game apparatus which may be used indoors or outdoors as a means of recreation or exercise. The apparatus comprises a unitary structure preferao: ,bly rectangular and box-like in shape and of a size made convenient for the parlor,

gymnasium, or the athletic field. It is used in conjunction with one or more spherical objects such as bowling balls, marbles, or the like, one of which when forcibly directed toward the apparatus by the physical acumen of the player, is adapted to encounter an obstacle and then enter one of a number of holes in the top of the apparatus, as will be fully described hereinafter.

In the prior art, a number of proposals have been made for games and game devices where balls are used in conjunction with nets or other receiving means. One of such proposals is the ski-ball game in which a ball delivered by the player toward an objective point encounters a hump so that an aerial trajectory results. These proposals, however, concern apparatus rather expensive to construct because of the alleys, nets, cages and other incidents connected therewith and furthermore, are not unitary in structure;

i. e, the various parts are separate entities. In such prior devices also, the ball has been 3?, given a trajectory such that it is adapted to either land in a receptacle inclined to the vertical or else its trajectory has been ob structed by a ceiling in order to deflect the ball into a horizontal receptacle.

My apparatus differs from these in that it is a unitary structure, comparatively simple and inexpensive, and the ball is given a vertically disposed trajectory by virtue of the odd shape of the preliminary obstacle that it encounters, thus permitting the use of a horizontal receptacle without any deflecting media.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my apparatus;

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the perforated top plate marked up for playing baseball;

Figure 3 is a view in sectional elevation taken along the line 33 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 represents a box-like .frame with a cutout portion2'anda curved apron-holding. portion 3. Braces 4 and 5 strengthen the structure.

Seouredtofthe curved. portionQS is the apron. 6 having 7 a curvature specifically shown in Figure 3. Supported by, suitable means is the top plate 8 with circular perforations 9 and cutout corners 10. The member 11 is suitably. supported in an inclined position and serves as a ball return. co;

The invention as shown'is especially designed for playing baseballand is preferably played as. follows: f l

A ball is propelled from some predetermined. distance away from the device which 6.5, rests in a horizontal position on thelfloor or the ground. When the ball strikes the apron 6, it is given an aerial trajectory'and descends pon th Pla e ai i h r ling 05 t.

bouncing o flit he same or enteringany oneof the holes. Theinc'lined' plate 11 returns the ball so-that itcaneasily be removed 'trom the receptacle. s shown, the top plate8 represents a baseball diamond.

.Zlherules oft-he gameare as f ollows:

1. Ifj t he ball goes in" hole the player has made a one base hit, (and so to pee lbe em a, runne n. fir ba A one base hitadyances all runnerspne base. l

,Ifitheball goes in hole '2, theplayer 20;: has made atw o base hit so to spealr) becomes. a runner on secon dbase A twobase hitad v anpesall runners two bases i :3, If the ballgoesin holeB B11,the;player has madeja three base li'it (and. sotois'peak) V857 e ome altim ter; third e-L 'q l ese' hit adlvancejsjall runners. three bases. 9 ljIfftheballjgoes in the holeHome run,

the player has made a homerunf, run

scores all runners. r

5. a player isadvanced from third runner on. ljrst base.

1 mikeihelhas n s rike e g se g 8. If the ball does not .go in a hole and remains on top of the board inside the field of play, the player (so to speak) is safe at first base.

9. If the ball does not go in a hole and remains on top of the board outside the field of play, it is a foul ball.

10. If the ball does not go in a hole, and gollls or bounces off the board, it is a foul 11. If there is a runner on first, first and second, or on all bases, and the ball remains on top of the board in the field of play, the runner or runners advance one base.

12. Each player must roll in the order in which his name appears in the batting order.

13. Each player rolls until he is out, safe at first base or made a hit.

14. A player is out when he has three strikes. .The first two foul balls each count as a strike. After having two foul balls, if the ball goes in the hole 1 Strike, the player has struck out otherwise he continues to roll until he is safe atfirst, made a hit or flies out.

15. A player having four balls automatically becomes a runner on first base. If first base is occupied, the runner on first goes to second.

16. lVhen a team has three outs, the other team or side then rolls until it has three outs.

17. The game is scored in the same manner as a regular baseball game is scored.

18. If a situation arises which is not covered in the above rules, regular baseball rules will govern the decision to be made.

19. The field of play and the foul territory is divided by White lines, from home to first base and from home to third base.

20. If after the ball is rolled, it fails to hit the top of the board, it is a foul ball.

From the above rules it is very evident that regulation baseball game can be played be-- tween two players, two regular baseball nines or two teams of an unlimited equal number of players. Where more than two players play a regular baseball score sheet should be used.

My apparatus can be made of wood or metal, or a combination of the same, or of any other material that is durable and eco-- hand.

CHAUNCEY R. MANN. 

